Chains Help!-Fitting Chains on a 2910

RAllen · Dec 23, 2000

Boy am I confused!

I need chains on my 2910. Our Montana home is in the mountains and quite hilly. I am a slippin & sliding. I wanted to put chains on all four wheels. My dealer cautioned me NOT. Claimed differences in torque to the wheels could cause transmission damage. So I thought I would settle for chains on two wheels. Found the back tires [R-4s] had only 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inch clearance between one point on the inside of the rear wheel fender. A chain manufacturer said it would be too close. The dealer service manager advised putting chains on the fronts. BUT! the steering tie-rod- is that the correct name? has less than the above clearence between the tire and the tie-rod bracket.

I know somebody out there with a 2910 or even a 2710 has gone down this same road road. I do not want to use studs because the main problem is caking snow on the tire lugs causing spinning.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Rick

ronjhall · Dec 23, 2000

Rick. Have not completed a set of spacers for my 2910. To install a set of chains on the rear you will have to make up spacers to move the wheels out at least 1". I purchased my Chains from (http://www.tirechain.com/Default.htm). Their chains fit with no problem. But if you have Turf tires the chains will not clear the front of fenders. I don't know how R-4 or Ag tires will clear. The front chains fit with no problem. They may be all you need to get traction. Many of the 4WD owners only use them on the front.

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ronjhall · Dec 23, 2000

Rick: Guess I didn't read your message fully the first time. If I had 1 1/2" clearance with my turf tires. I would not need spacers. TireChains.com has tensioners that should keep the chains tight so chains will not hit bolts that hold fender on.

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wallyr · Dec 23, 2000

I put chains on my 2710 I have R4 tires and with the tensioners I did not have any problems with the chains clearing the fenders.

RAllen · Dec 25, 2000

Did you put the chains on the rear? What brand, approx cost?
I have gotten so much conflicting information. Thanks

Rick

wallyr · Dec 28, 2000

Rick my chains are mounted on the rear tires. I got them from tirechains.com they list pricing on there website with delivery charges.

RAllen · Jan 11, 2001

Guess I am no longer confused. Thought I would share an update with fellow forum fanatics./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I finally purchased chains from my Kubota dealer for the back tires only. Got ,what we call around here, "H" pattern chains. There is less chance of the griping chain to settle between tire lugs than with the more common ladder pattern. Bought from my dealer on the condition they would guarantee proper fit on my 2910. They advised they would have the chains custom made and fit them on an identical tractor.
The chains were supposed to be on a tractor when I went down so the service department could demonstrate the proper fit- great service.
When I arrived the chains were off the tractor. Evidently, they had just sold that tractor and had to have it ready for the new owner. The service manager promised the chains fit fine and produced polaroids to show a proper fit.

Boy/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif those chains are heavy!

Got them home and promptly fitted one set to the right side of the tractor. Took about 20 minutes and I thought I was a stud /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif. I then tackled the left side.....Two hours later, I was still trying /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif. Got cold and decided to try again tomorrow. Tomorrow came and went trying continued. On the third day wife looks at the chains and states the chains must not be the proper size. Silly women. I patted her on head and advised her how the chains had carefully been fitted and there was just no possibility for error/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.
On the fouth day- New Years Eve, I decided to fold the ROPS down and take the tractor into the heated garage. Just to humor wife I counted links and guess what. The right side [on the tractor] had 46 links. The problem set had only 41/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif!
The dealer was nice enough to send out a service person to fix them and install the chains. After wiping the egg and other stuff off there face, I got a sincere apology. It seems they only installed one set to check size.

Moral to the story- listen to your wife...or husband. They might know more than you.

Rick